As we said from the start, your odds of winning an SCT Power Flash Tuner with us were better than winning the lottery (at least $10k), getting struck by lightning, becoming President (of the United States), finding out you are actually a superhero, or getting lucky with Britney Spears.

If anyone reading this actually won the lottery, became President, or any of the others during our giveaway, and did not win an SCT tuner, please tell us about your good fortune. We love good fiction. In the meantime, we’d like to congratulate our four lucky winners, and everyone who entered.

Week 1: Jake Stahlecker, 2008 GT Coupe
Week 2: Nick Thompson, 2003 Mach 1
Week 3: James Carr, 2008 GT/CS Coupe
Week 4: Dean Casanova, 1998 V6 Coupe

Stay tuned for more great contests coming soon on our blog and AmericanMuscle.com.

Even the crew at American Muscle was blown away to see the quality of Mustangs flowing onto our lot for the July 19th show. From original Shelbys to Roush’s latest topless creation, it was a visual feast for any Mustang fan. After two hours of registration the once-roomy AM lot was suddenly filled wall-to-wall with Ford’s finest. In the end, only a few could take home the very first awards from American Muscle.

Here’s a list, and a look at our winners:

Tony Massimano: Best in Show, and Best Pre-’79 Mustang: Fully Customized ‘69 Mach 1

Rick Bauman: President’s Choice Award: ‘05 GT, Torch Red with back trim

Tommy Lee: Best ‘05 to 2010 Mustang: ‘06 GT Convertible, black with custom under hood airbrush

Mike Baer: Best ‘99 to ‘04 Mustang: ‘04 MystiChrome Cobra convertible

Donnie Huth: Best ‘94 to ‘98 Mustang: ‘97 Cobra

Rick Nagle: Best ‘79 to ‘93 Mustang: ‘93 GT black

Q: Now that you know our favorites, tell us yours! Check out the complete show gallery and leave a comment on this post letting us know which car you would have given the AM trophies to.

How do you make a group of Mustang enthusiasts scream like little girls before boarding the downward spiral to a complete and total frenzy?

Free dyno pulls. And American Muscle did just that at its July 19 car show.

Finding the dyno at the show was easy. Listen for the sound of a throaty V-8 powering its way to redline and back, then follow the thunder until you see a large crowd of mesmerized Mustang owners.

With the first car on the dyno at 9am, and 19 more lined up and ready to go within minutes, American Muscle, with the help of Axcelerated Motorsports, gave 20 cars two pulls each, and then had time for 10 more cars.

At the end of the day, Mike Baer took top honors with 454 horsepower from his ’04 MystiChrome Cobra convertible. Congrats Mike. But don’t let it go to your head.

How much power is in your pony? And what do you most want to do to get more out of it? You never know when the American Muscle Gift Pony may stop by your garage with a few hand outs.

Top Secret BBQ Recipes Leaked!
Now You Too Can Make Cobra Eggs!

The jig is up and the recipes are out folks! Now you too can lay your very own BBQ Cobra Eggs, Super Snaky Spicy Shrimp, or Top Fuel Bar B Que Venison Backstrap in the comfort of your very own backyard! Download the full versions of these top three contenders from our Manly BBQ Contest below!

Keith K’s BBQ Cobra Egg Recipe
Download PDF (57.5kb)
BBQ Cobra Eggs stuff the major meaty portion of a slain bird carcass with the angry spice of a homemade jalapeño popper. Wrap in bacon, because bacon makes everything better, and slather on liquid burning hot sauce hate and you will see why this was the clear winner of the Manly BBQ Contest!

Cindy R’s Super Snaky Spicy Shrimp Recipe
Download PDF (64.8kb)
Super Snaky Spicy Shrimp takes your common everyday wooden death spike and turn it into a food skewer of delicious. Stagger manly seasoned shrimp and peppers with obligatory spicy seasoned bacon snaked throughout, run it through with a skewer and you have a manly concoction that even Chuck Norris would have no problem punching through your face.

David B’s Top Fuel Bar B Que Venison Backstrap Recipe
Download PDF (45.9kb)
Top Fuel Bar B Que Venison Backstrap takes a manstrosity of spices and sauces and slathers the concoction onto your backstrap or tenderloin of choice. A full 24 hours of marinading ensures this will be one of the most succulent dishes you ever stuff mercilessly in your gorge hole.

Click to see Original Contest Details.
Click to see Epic Cook Off Movie Page.

After two nail-biting, pulse-pounding weeks of sleeping, eating, feuding, and crawling around in their own filth, the three remaining contestants in American Muscle’s “Live In It and Win” Mustang Competition have finally made it to the finish line on Thursday, July 2nd 2009…and lasted longer than anyone could have possible projected.

After weeks of waiting, the time had finally come to let the fans decide the ultimate fate of the three remaining contestants, “Almost Army” John, “Barking” Joe, and “Barely Legal” Michelle. An army of devoted followers, friends, and family (as well as a flock of photographers and camera crews) littered the sidewalk outside of Tony Luke’s, anxiously awaiting news of the winner.

Danny Bonaduce and the rest of WYSP crew made their way over to the car and asked the contestants to step out of the vehicle. The three picked the remaining shards of trash off their sore, tired bodies and made their way out of the car one by one. As the crowds and cameras circled around them, John, Michelle, and Joe stood aside of one another, a mixed look of anxiety, excitement, and relief on all of their faces.

As the tension mounted, a winner was finally named.

And the winner is…. “Almost Army” John.

Upon hearing the news, John exploded in tears of excitement. He was instantly congratulated with a heaping helping of sincere hugs and handshakes from his former rivals. If there was any animosity amongst these 3 individuals, it certainly wasn’t on display that night.

The 25-year-old ex-military man held true to his winning strategy right from the very beginning. Without an automobile to call his own, John entered the ‘09 Mustang knowing he was the one contestant that truly deserved to drive it home. To gain an immediate upperhand, he even decided not to shower for an entire week prior to the competition. Even the offer of a new car from a local Ford Dealership was not enough to make John step out of the vehicle.

Upon hearing of his win, the crowd swarmed John, offering him handshakes, interviews, and hearty congratulations. The man even took the time to pose for a few pictures branding an American Muscle catalog and t-shirt. Here’s hoping that Almost Army John and his new 2009 Mustang will make an appearance at American Muscle’s 2009 Car Show in Malvern on July 19th.

As for the other contestants…we better see all of you there, too! Your fans demand it.

Speaking of which, so what will become of the other contestants? From what we’ve gathered, “Barely Legal” Michelle (who has a well-known fetish for all things 80’s) will be flown out to a Bon Jovi concert, where she will receive backstage passes and a chance to meet the man himself. Awesome Airen – the first competitor to step out of the car – was offered another Mustang by one of her family members.

As for Tourettes Joe? Well, we’re not exactly sure what the status of his current job position is, but we have a strong feeling he could make a very lucrative career as a Carnival Barker (sorry, we had to do it).

Everyone here at AmericanMuscle.com would like to congratulate all four “Live in It and Win” Contestants for sticking it out as long as they did. Each and every one of you did an excellent job, and have shown as much strength and endurance as that majestic Pony that graces the front of that 2009 Mustang. Remember, that one that all of you sat in for so long?

Have fun in your new 2009 ‘Stang, “Almost Army” John!

AM Manly BBQ Contest Winners Selected
Epic Cook-Off Movie Released

Throughout the Month of June 2009, we ran our Manly BBQ Contest and customers submitted their manliest recipes to be carefully scrutinized by our panel of expert food judges. The top three manliest recipes were selected and put to the test in this epic BBQ cook-off movie!

The American Muscle Manly BBQ Contest truly was a celebration of everything it is to be manly. We came, we barbecued, we ate. Manliness at its best.

We would like to thank everyone that participated and sent in their recipes and congratulate our winner Keith K. and his brass Cobra Eggs of steel at achieving the ultimate title of manliness: American Muscle Manly BBQ Contest Winner 2009!

Click to see original contest details.

They say a rolling stone gathers no moss. We’ll let me tell you, three people sitting in a Mustang for more than eight days gather plenty of moss, and other things too. To say that the odor emanating from the new 2009 Ford Mustang is foul, is like saying Megan Fox is easy on the eyes, or that Michael Jackson was a little weird. It just doesn’t cover the dramatic scope of the all-out stench that billows from inside this finely-tuned stink machine.

Nonetheless, three hopeful contestants remain in the AmericanMuscle Live in It and Win 2009 Mustang Giveaway. Yes, I said three. Apparently Awesome Airen got an offer she couldn’t refuse. Her uncle bought her a new Mustang to get out of the car. If that’s all it takes to get a new car, I’m parking butt in the first new unlocked ‘Stang I find until someone shows up with the keys to my new ride, or the police haul me away. I’m thinking it might just be worth the risk.

So with just three remaining, the American Muscle crew returned to check on our friends only to find that their 94WYSP Philadelphia radio shirts have turned from blindingly white to a dingy grey. And because they are not allowed to remove anything from the car for the duration of the contest, every corner and crevice of the winning ride is jam-packed with garbage. For the record, we’re not just talking empty water bottles and a few soiled napkins. We’re talking about the half eaten tuna sandwich they enjoyed last Thursday, and remnants of a once-delicious, now diseased Tony Luke’s Cheese Steak with Wiz and extra Mayo from Day 1, which was more than a week ago. Now that is just rank.

Still, through day and night and overwhelming filth, our pals Joseph, John and Michele remain steadfast in their commitment to live in the car they want so much to win.

Look for a couple videos coming soon as our friends share their thoughts and insights from inside the car.

Until then, I ask you, what food do you think would be the absolute worst to have rotting alongside you in the car? For my vote: Milk. There’s nothing worse. Let me know what you think in our comments section below. You never know what video may be around the corner.

Challenges, or adversity, come in all shapes and forms. Most recently I saw it come in a small aluminum can. Of course, by now you’re probably wondering what in the world I’m talking about. We’ll let me bring you up to speed with why my pal silent John who lives in a car in South Philadelphia is my new hero.

Just yesterday a team from American Muscle returned to the site of our Live in It to Win It contest to win a brand-new 2009 Ford Mustang. That’s right, win a Mustang people. As in FREE!

Having made friends with our four willing contestants, we opted to bring them a few items they had requested upon our first meeting when the competition kicked off Monday morning live on the Danny Bonaduce Show on 94WYSP Philadelphia.

Our gift basket consisted of a few items our new friends had requested, plus a few surprises. Soon after our arrival we learned that while all four contestants remain, the climate had changed from new and exciting to, well, a bit more foul. Actually, foul doesn’t cut it. The smell pouring out of this car could gag innocent bystanders more than a mile away.

One by one handing out edible gifts, Silent John was suddenly filled with life as the sight of an ice cold energy drink—before you’d a had to check him for a pulse. John’s lust for the caffeine-infused beverage was clear on his face and in his voice. At our suggestion, John tipped the can upward, pouring every last drop of canned-adrenaline into his willing mouth. Our team was both impressed and scared given the potential consequences for such an act.

Following a few standard questions and some genuine well wishes, our team returned to the office to develop the next great sale for you, our loyal patrons.

Shortly after our departure, we learned that while our friend John was eager to down our energy drink, his stomach was not. Doubled over and holding back the blow, our man John fought tirelessly as the clock wound down to the regularly scheduled break where the contestants would be allowed out of the car for just 15 minutes. Holding on to his dignity, and his lunch, John knew that spewing warm energy drink across the dash was an automatic disqualification from the contest he was so determined to win. Still the clock counted down. Twenty minutes, 10, five minutes to go. Green as could be, John held off the barf-monster until the break bell rang and he lunged from the car only to release the complete contents of his stomach across the drive and much of the parking lot.

At American Muscle, we can only say: Well done Not-so-silent John. You came to play. You have our applause and our respect. And you can have another case of that energy drink anytime you like. We even deliver, as long as you live in a new Ford Mustang in front of Tony Luke’s.

For our four friends in South Philly, the media circus that launched their departure on this great and scary journey just yesterday has subsided as fans and friends retreat to watch and wait to see who will completely snap first on their way to win a brand new 2009 Mustang. Having seen the following video on our four contestants, in addition to live video feed on 94WYSP Philadelphia’s website, it seems that all of our friends confined in the 2-door muscle car are holding steady, and have plenty of time read, if only they were allowed books. That’s where swashbuckling imaginary friends like my pal Federico Monte Christo Esperanza III are handy. Take it from me; you’re never alone when Fred’s around to have an imaginary sword fight.

Here’s the latest from the AmericanMuscle.com Mustang Give Away…

Question: What do a brand-new 2009 Mustang, a Philly Cheese Steak, and Danny Bonaduce have in common?

Answer: AmericanMuscle.com. Duh!

Sometimes I find myself in the most peculiar situations. I’m not talking about waking up on a beach in Mexico hugging a nine-foot inflatable rabbit or anything, but peculiar nonetheless. This morning at 6am I was standing curbside in front of famed Philly Cheese Steak factory Tony Luke’s in South Philadelphia with child-star-turned-DJ Danny Bonaduce, four average-Joes and a brand-new 2009 Ford Mustang. Inflatable rabbit aside, this was a pretty strange experience for me. But then, when it comes to AmeicanMuscle.com contests, you never know what to expect.

Backing up a bit, the reason I was standing on a curb in Philly at 6am with a notorious shock-jock was the AmericanMuscle.com Live in It to Win It contest. Okay, so the premise is simple: There can only be one! Highlander fans already know this. But for the rest of us, the concept is, well, still simple. Four people climb into a new Ford Mustang. He who stays in the car the longest, takes the keys, and the car. And because American Muscle does nothing half…well, halfway, we recruited 94WYSP Philadelphia radio and cheese steak czar Tony Luke to complete the package.

Personally speaking: I’m not a morning person, mostly because mornings suck. Getting up a 4am to stand on a street corner is about as fun to me as being stuck in a phone booth in downtown Dayton, Ohio with Joan Rivers and 250 rabid woodchucks. But if you dangle a pair of keys to a brand new Mustang in front of me, you’ll see me hook up an I.V. blend of black coffee and Red Bull. Today I met John, Airen, Michele and Joshua, four aspiring Mustang owners who are living the dream. Each one of them fought their way through the rigorous video screening process to secure their shot at what could be the grandest prize of them all. Sure they all may be in need of a serious psychiatric evaluation, but I can’t say that, were I eligible, I wouldn’t do the same. I mean, come on people, a new Ford Mustang for just sitting in a car for a couple weeks. That’s like getting paid $25k for spending two weeks converting oxygen into carbon dioxide. Count me in. Even I can do that. Now enter three strangers, limited restroom breaks, live radio coverage and a busy city street corner in the place that took New York sarcasm and turned it into an art. Now that’s a contest.

And then there’s Bonaduce, who is worthy of his own study in abnormal social behavior. I’ve met many people from all over this country in my years, and Danny Bonaduce has got to be one of the most dynamic, in-your-face, scary, charismatic, obnoxious, fascinating, and generally intriguing personalities I’ve come across. Taking time out from his morning radio show, Danny wasted no time before throwing on an American Muscle Tee and sharing his opinion on the greatest Mustang ever built, and who he’d bring with him should he be trapped in a car with three strangers for an extended period of time. Check out the video to see if you agree. You’ll hear no arguments from me.

As for our four trapped Mustang fans, look for more videos over the next couple weeks on http://blog.americanmuscle.com/ as our candidates shed their smiling virgin faces and common human courtesy and replace them with severe sleep deprivation and poor personal hygiene. I’m putting my money on at least three suffering from a complete and total lack of self respect and any shred of tolerance for their three intimate roommates. Oh yeah, it’s gonna get good!